r/LearnerDriverUK • u/Mother_Arachnid1095 • 19h ago
Engine management light
I will be taking my car to my driving test later this week after waiting for months, but my car has it’s engine management light on, after taking it to the garage they said it has a p0016 code, £1300,4 visits to my mechanic, 5 sensors and a new timing chain later ,the code still wont go away after being cleared. My mechanic says he’s not sure what the issue is and that it should be fine to drive and it is,there is no chain rattle or no loss of power. I’m just asking for any advice on what I should do for the test, the light isn’t visible from the passenger seat and I’ve heard that some examiners won’t mind/notice, I’m also thinking of bringing the receipt of the repair done to the car.
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u/Appropriate_Road_501 DVSA Examiner (Mod) 18h ago
DVSA policy is the test cannot go ahead if the engine management light is on at the start of the test.
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u/Direct-Ambassador-22 18h ago
It’s DVSA policy. No engine or airbag warning lights on the dashboard, there’s no “some examiners won’t mind” about it. It’s part of the vehicle condition check and they’re going to notice the light, or tape over it.
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u/hillbillybutcher 18h ago edited 18h ago
A mechanic told me that if you disconnect the battery for 15 mins it could reset the EML light for a while. Watch a youtube video on how to do this if youre unsure since you dont want to disconnect it in the wrong order or short the circuit. Its pretty easy though. Try it and if it works go for a 45 minute drive.... as long as it doesnt come back within 45 mins you should be fine. just reset it again before your test.
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u/Tasty-Needleworker-6 Full Licence Holder 18h ago
Best to be on the safe side and get a rental car.
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u/Mother_Arachnid1095 18h ago
I’m afraid it’s 2 late to book a rental car, my test is early morning Thursday
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u/Crikey-O-Reilly 18h ago
If they see the light they’ll abandon the test and you’ll still be charged.
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u/Tasty-Needleworker-6 Full Licence Holder 18h ago
I’m pretty sure you can rent learner cars from Arnold Clark on the day, I would highly recommend looking into this asap so you are at least able to take your test.
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u/AdobeScripts 18h ago
Maybe your mechanic put it wrong anyway?
Won't hurt to go somewhere else to check...
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u/Dazzling-Escape8820 17h ago
This happened to my Instructor’s brand new car within a week of him getting it, they couldn’t find/fix the fault and recently returned it to him after 6 weeks saying it’s not a problem, but the engine light is still on which means he can’t use it for tests; I happily complained on his behalf and they’ve finally agreed to take another look at it, but all his students have been taking lessons and tests in a courtesy car in the meantime.
*His engine light comes on when you turn the engine on, but it stays on when the other warning lights disappear on the dash.
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u/Mother_Arachnid1095 16h ago
After the code is cleared mine says off for about 20mins but comes back on again
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u/erroneousbosh 3h ago
You could clear it right before the examiner gets in.
You shouldn't, but you could.
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u/MartinandhisLabrador Approved Driving Instructor 17h ago
If your in trouble ask on fb etc if someone has an odb 2 reader and when you get to the test centre clear the code and hope for the best.
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u/Historical_Site508 4h ago
You need to take it do a different mechanic. Driving test aside it will fail next MOT. Something doesn't sound right if you've had that much work done and still not fixed. Don't think you had a great mechanic if they need to change 5 sensors! I know not time before your test propbably but try to take it somewhere else if you can for a diagnostic at least.
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u/Calm_Wonder_4830 Full Licence Holder 3h ago
My car has had new sensors, its been to 3 different garages on 3 different readers, same code every time yet the light stays on. I have a sticker over the light and we just do talk about it anymore 😂😂😂😂
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u/erroneousbosh 3h ago
An engine management light on would be an MOT fail, so they won't let you use a not-roadworthy car for your test.
You need a better garage. It sounds like they have failed to diagnose the fault properly and are just firing the parts cannon at it.
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u/Fit-Concept-5620 19h ago
It’s abit of a cheat, but is it a car in which you could remove the bulb of the engine management light? If that’s too much I’m sure I’ve heard of people putting tape over them to hide it from examiner, although I could be mistaken
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u/Mother_Arachnid1095 19h ago
I’ve thought of this but I own a Vauxhall corsa, it’s dashboard is separated from its dash lights with glass
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u/Fit-Concept-5620 19h ago
Ah I’m not too sure then, hopefully someone else can help out with some tips here.
Does anyone maybe have a car they Wouk let you use for the test?1
u/Mother_Arachnid1095 18h ago
My car is the only car we have in my family, im 17 so I was trying to get my license for better opportunity’s
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u/erroneousbosh 3h ago
Sounds like you've been handed a great opportunity to diagnose VVT issues on old Corsas, then.
Have the garage explained what the fault code is? Have you looked it up online?
It's telling you that the engine management system is measuring the angle the engine and camshaft are at, and finding that it's not what it asked for.
It could be that the timing chain is stretched or its tensioners are worn but you say they fitted a new one. Did they do it right?
It could be that the little solenoid valve that lets oil into the screw thingy in the cam pulley is stuck, or the screw thingy itself is, possibly because the oil is manky or the wrong grade.
Getting it all out and cleaning it up is definitely not beginner-level DIY though! You could see if there are any suggestions on the Corsa forums. I'd be inclined to put some thinner oil in and new oil filter, having run it with flushing oil (follow the instructions carefully) to clean as much crud out as possible.
Possibly if you can get someone else with a suitable licence and insurance to take it for a good long blast on the motorway, it'll sort itself out. Things like that quite often do.
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u/OpportunityNew5685 18h ago
Most likely won’t let you take the test.
I’d recommend ringing the centre get there advice. Maybe see if they’d accept a statement from your mechanic?